Bursting onto the music scene with their infectious "happy-days" energy and lush, feel-good soundscapes, Valley has steadily carved out their place as one of Canada’s most exciting rising bands. This past August, the trio released Water The Flowers, Pray For A Garden, their most intimate and introspective album to date, earning widespread acclaim for its heartfelt lyrics and cohesive sound.
Having previously shared the stage with artists like Lennon Stella, Dermot Kennedy, COIN, and The Band CAMINO, Valley is now stepping into the spotlight as headliners. On the heels of their sold-out London show, we caught up with the band to chat about their journey so far, their creative evolution, and what fans can expect from their electrifying live performances.
So, this is your first time in the UK, right? You arrived yesterday. Did you get a chance to explore?
Yeah, we landed yesterday but didn’t get to the hotel until about 4:30, so it was a long day. We were definitely jet-lagged, but we managed to check out a few places. I went to Mildred’s in Soho last night, which was really good. My parents are here too, so we went out to dinner together. We also stopped by some pubs because, honestly, you can’t come to London without visiting a few. We hit up five pubs last night and grabbed some pizza afterward. We also walked around Soho and saw the classic Piccadilly Circus—you know, the “Times Square of London.” It’s one of those things you just have to see. Tonight’s the first night of the tour here, and it’s sold out. Tomorrow, we’ll head to Manchester to explore a bit.
That sounds amazing! So, your first time playing in London—what can fans expect?
It’s going to be hot, sweaty, energetic, and chaotic. Honestly, we never know exactly what’s going to happen at our shows, but that’s part of the excitement. It’s always great to feel the energy of the crowd in a new place. I’m especially excited for Rob’s stage banter—it’s always quirky and keeps things fun for us. It pushes us out of our comfort zone in the best way.
It’s a little like when we played in Egypt or Australia for the first time. You just want to connect with the crowd and feel what they’re feeling. This venue isn’t the smallest, but it still has a bit of that intimate vibe, so it’s going to be really special.
You’ve played all over the world. Do you notice any big differences between audiences from different cultures?
Absolutely. Australian crowds, for example, are wild and love to party—just rowdy in the best way. Southeast Asia is so different; people there are quiet and respectful, but still incredibly attentive and appreciative. And then you have places like the Philippines, where the crowds are loud and energetic in the most wonderful way. They’re so excited and grateful that you’re there.
It’s fascinating to see those cultural differences in how people experience live music. I think tonight’s crowd will be great—it’s a Saturday night, people don’t have work tomorrow, so it’s bound to be fun.
You’ve opened for a lot of well-established artists like The Band Camino and Dermot Kennedy. What has been the biggest lesson from those experiences?
A major one is learning how to treat your openers or support acts. We’ve been really fortunate to do some headlining tours in the last couple of years, and we’ve had some amazing friends come along with us. Touring with genuinely kind and generous artists taught us how important it is to pay that forward. We’ve had the privilege of being treated so well by bands we’ve opened for, so the least we can do is offer the same support to the bands touring with us.
Your third studio album "Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden" came out last year. Did you guys always know music was the plan, or was there ever a backup plan?
We’re big believers in not having a backup plan. If you have one, you’ll always subconsciously lean on it, and that can hold you back. We went all in on music because it felt right. There’s something about putting yourself in deep water and just trusting that you’ll figure it out. Mickey started it all, and then we met in high school. Funny story—we got double-booked at a studio one day, and it just felt like the universe saying, “This is it.” That was the moment we knew we were going to take the jump, and we’ve never looked back. No plan B—just music.
What is the album about? What inspired it, and what was the process behind it?
Thank you! I’m so glad you like it. The album is about the seeds we plant and how they grow—whether they become something beautiful or bitter. It’s this idea that nature isn’t personal or unkind. Whatever you plant is what manifests, and that applies to life. If you nurture bitterness, you get bitter fruit. If you plant kindness and care, you get something beautiful.
It’s also about looking back at our journey as a band and as individuals. We’ve dealt with weeds in the garden, so to speak, but we’ve also grown some incredible flowers. It’s a reflection on personal growth and letting go of control, knowing that you can only do your best and let the universe handle the rest.
We wanted this album to be cohesive, so we wrote it in a really contained way. We spent about a month in the Smoky Mountains with our co-producer and collaborator, Chase, and wrote most of it there. It was intentional—we wanted it to feel like a time capsule.
What’s the biggest difference between your first, second, and third albums?
Our first album felt like us playing in the sandbox as kids. Everything was new, and the world felt massive. The second album was like leaving that sandbox and exploring what else was out there—what the big kids were doing. And this third album feels like a return to that sandbox but with more experience. We’re a bit more refined, a bit more developed. We’ve been through things, we’ve grown, and now we’ve found a way to play again but with a deeper understanding of ourselves and our music.
What inspires you when it comes to writing music?
Honestly, everything. This conversation, traveling, stories, movies—it’s all inspiring. I love romanticizing life, even the mundane parts. I think writing music is about taking those everyday moments and making them feel meaningful. Most of my favorite songs are just that: snapshots of the mundane told in a way that makes them beautiful.
Your music has over a billion streams on streaming platforms. Is it hard for emerging bands like yours to navigate the rise of social media?
It definitely feels like a double-edged sword. Social media has created opportunities, but it’s also overwhelming. We’ve been a band for almost 10 years, and we’ve seen the industry shift dramatically. Our first album was only on iTunes, then Spotify became the main thing, and now TikTok is everywhere. It’s tough because there’s so much focus on numbers—your followers, your streams, your reach.
It’s frustrating because social media feels like a gamble. You can’t put all your eggs in that basket. You might have a song you love, and you think it’ll blow up on TikTok, but then it doesn’t do anything. It can be discouraging. That’s why we’ve shifted our mindset to focus on the long game. For us, it’s about building a community and making music we’re proud of, not just chasing viral moments.
Do you think the pressure of social media can kill creativity?
Absolutely. If you’re only writing music because you feel pressure to create something that’ll go viral, it’s not sustainable. That’s why we’re trying to stay true to ourselves. You can still create content and interact with your audience, but it has to feel authentic. When it starts to feel forced, it’s hard to stay inspired.
What’s next for the band?
Touring as much as possible and letting the album breathe. It’s still new, and we think there’s a long runway ahead for it. We’ll write more music when the time feels right, but for now, we’re focused on playing shows and connecting with as many people as we can.
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Article by Sal F & Photos by Ines B.
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